[FUTURE: EVELYN OFFICIALLY RESPECTS YOU!]
Huh, my perk activated? So Evelyn respects me?
Ivy then danced on the screen, [Yes! Anddddd, new upgrades!]
Strength (STR): C+ (0/250,000)
Reason: Killing Leone despite the overwhelming odds.
Speed (SPD): C (0/100,000)
Reason: Prolonged combat against elite foes.
Durability (DURA): B (0/350,000)
Reason: Surviving against Leone and the mages.
Endurance (ENDU): B+ Tier (0/450,000)
Reason: Non-stop fighting with everyone and fighting through the pain.
IQ: SS Tier (0/999,999)
Reason:Ensuring no innocent lives were lost and outsmarting stronger opponents.
New Ability: Foresight
When focusing intensely, you can simulate possible outcomes and perceive movements at the speed of sound.
MANA & MENTAL STATS BOOSTED
Mana: SS+ Tier (0/4,000,000)
Mana Control: SS+ Tier (0/4,000,000)
Mental Strength & Resilience: Both SS+ Tier (0/4,000,000)
[Your mana and mental stats have reached SS+ Tier thanks to your extensive use of Creation Magic during renovation days and this intense battle. You can now wield Creation Magic almost indefinitely, though combining multiple elements simultaneously will still drain you alot.]
Ivy looked like a proud mom, [Essentially, you're stronger, smarter, and more resilient than ever before. Impressive, isn't it?]
Damn! That's alot of upgrades. It is impressive...
Guess that big Leone guy gave me alot of experience. Aric thought while flexing his fingers. He could feel his body stronger and lighter now.
I'm finally not physically weak anymore. HA! Yes!Looks like that stupid premonition might not come true after all!
*************************************************************
Seraphina walked kept searching around while carrying Kayla in the air with her tendril,
"Evelyn! Aric!" she scanned around and still see no one.
"Hah...where could they possibly be?"
She kept walking before seeing the southern section engulfed in ice.
"Guess Evelyn was there..."
She looked around as she walked in the ice wasteland,
"Must have been a tough battle for her use to strong attacks. Evelyn! Aric! Are you th—"
Then she saw them, sitting down and looking tired as hell.
"You two look awful."
Evelyn and Aric look up to see Seraphina...and also a floating Kayla.
Aric of course felt the need to ask, "I'm glad you're safe Seraphina but I have to ask...why are you carrying her like that?"
Seraphina shrugged, "It's a long story but Kylien is dead now and I have wiped her memories. When she wakes up, she will have the mind of an 18 year old."
Aric felt shiver down his spine and Ivy chimed in, [Well...looks like your wife knows alot of more than just dark magic huh?]
Yeah...who knew magic could erase memories?
[Well it doesn't. It's an elf spell, which by the way should be impossible to obtain. So the fact she has it means she is respected by the elven race.]
Fucking hell...No wonder she's one of the strongest.
Evelyn now stood up and bowed to Seraphina, "Everyone has been evacuated your grace. Should we call them back after we make one last sweep?"
"Are you still in condition to fight, Evelyn?"
"I will manage your grace."
Seraphina thought for abit and sighed, "Let's do one final sweep together. Once it's clear, I'll signal Penelope to bring the people back."
The three began their final patrol, scanning every alley, rooftop, and ruined corridor for any remaining threats.
*************************************************************
It took them 40 minutes to check the majority of the area. They made their way to the heart of the town square where Seraphina launched a sphere to the sky that burst a dark light. Penelope saw the signal and gathered everyone to return to Ashwick.
"One by one folks! No pushing each other. All in order please!"
The townsfolk returned cautiously, their expressions were mostly relief to see the town was mostly unharmed. While some buildings were broken and charred, the destruction wasn't nearly as catastrophic as they had feared.
In fact, considering the scale of the battle, it seemed almost miraculous.
"I thought the whole town would be leveled!"
"Look at those bodies over there… brutal..."
"Where is Mayor Sebastian anyways? Did he help...?"
Seraphina stepped forward, raising her hands to quiet the crowd,
"People of Ashwick, tonight we faced an enemy unlike any other—one who sought to destroy everything we've worked so hard to rebuild. But thanks to the bravery of those who stood against them, we are safe. And though our fight was fierce, the destruction was contained to a minimum."
She paused, turning slightly to face Aric, "In particular, we owe our thanks to Lord Vayne Arkwright. Not only did he lead the charge against overwhelming odds but he also devised plans to protect this town even when others doubted him."
"We have defeated Kylien, a half-demon; Leone, a berserker; countless master mages; and even captured one of their own." as she pointed at Kayla.
Voices rippled through the crowd, some nodding in agreement while others exchanged skeptical glances.
Seraphina gestured for silence once more, "Vayne, would you please show the document and read it?"
Aric fumbled around in his pocket, pulling out the crumpled paper. Clearing his throat, he began reading,
"Kylien acknowledged Sebastian as a conspirator—in exchange for delays in Ashwick's reconstruction, siphoning of funds, and the dismantling of welfare programs. It's all here... in the fine print."
"According to this and all the documents we have gathered, Sebastian has been actively working against Ashwick for years. First, he deliberately stalled reconstruction efforts after my mistakes—not to protect you, but to keep you dependent on him and his so-called 'leadership.'"
"And while doing that, he quietly funneled that money into his own coffers. This corruption goes all the way back to Lady Callista's reign."
"Back then, he sabotaged the farmers—ensuring their crops sold for mere pennies. After the goblin attack, he took the relief funds Lady Callista provided and did the bare minimum while basking in luxury."
"He siphoned money meant to rebuild homes, shops—even warehouses. Instead of directing resources where they were needed, he lined his own pockets and those of his allies."
"And finally—he slashed welfare programs designed to help struggling families get back on their feet. He claimed there wasn't enough funding. But the truth? The funding was there. It just never reached you."
"All those promises he made—building schools, fixing the sewage system, repairing roads, improving homes and clinics—none of it happened. Because he stole it from you and even if you don't believe me, we can show you the exact documents that shows it all."
Then someone in the crowd shouted, "But you burned down our homes! Aren't you the same as him?"
Aric took a deep breathe and let out, "Yes I did or at least what I know of from the people that told me. Look I am no saint, I'm not perfect and I've made mistakes too. But tonight, we have proof of what's been holding us back."
"Sebastian and his allies didn't care about Ashwick. They cared about power and profit—at your expense. But can't you see? Every time I tried to fix things—rebuild with the dwarves, restore your building, create jobs—he tried to slow me down."
The crowd murmured. Many among them had seen it with their own eyes—how Vayne, or whoever he was now, had worked tirelessly with the dwarves and townsfolk to create, restore, and innovate.
And Sebastian? He'd remained distant. Detached. Always making excuses.
An older woman near the front of the crowd stepped forward,
"I remember when the night was too cold for me and my son. It was that man—" she pointed at Aric, "—who came up with blueprints about some floor heating. It wasn't Sebastian who kept us warm! It was him."
Several villagers began nodding in agreement.
Another man stepped forward, "He helped us build proper toilets, showed us how to maintain the water tanks and sewage systems—and even gave us jobs! I didn't know jack shit about any of it, but he walked us through it like we actually mattered!"
"I have a job now thanks to Lord Vayne!" someone else called out.
"He gave us fridges to keep our food fresh!"
Then the cheer happened,
"LORD VAYNE! LORD VAYNE! LORD VAYNE!"
Aric's face turned bright red. He wasn't used to compliments, praise, or admiration. Certainly not in a body that once belonged to a man everyone used to fear and hate.
He had worked tirelessly to make amends for what Vayne had done. And now, seeing these people celebrating him?
It made his heart giddy. Almost too much to take in.
*************************************************************
Unbeknownst to them, Sebastian stood on the outer wall of Ashwick while hearing the chants of the people,
LORD VAYNE.
LORD VAYNE.
LORD VAYNE.
"So... they've accepted him. They cheer for him? A thief wearing a monster's skin?"
He looked down at his trembling hands, "I spent decades shaping this place. Bleeding for it. Manipulating, sacrificing, climbing."
"And now they hand everything over... to him? I BUILT THIS SHIT! ME! BRICK BY BRICK!"
A deep, distorted voice coiled in his ear,
Say the word, Sebastian. I can make it all burn.
"...What are your powers, demon?"
Enough to make them forget he ever existed.
Sebastian smiled, "Enough to end the Arkwrights and begin my legacy?"
Yes. But there will be a price.
"I've paid every price this world has demanded. What's one more?"
Dark mana surged through him as the demon fused deeper into his core. His mana reserves grew until it matched Seraphina's.
"So this is your power?"
Only a fraction. When you activate the Mark of the Demons on your tongue, you'll awaken your true self.
Without hesitation, he leapt into the sky. Wind howled around him as he soared above Ashwick, high enough to see the thousands gathered around the central fountain.
His eyes burned with hatred.
"You did this, Vayne. You took everything I built, everything I bled for."
Black lightning crackled behind him as he descended.
"I'll kill you…and everyone you love."